A look at the top trends and challenges for dentists in 2026. Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the ADA Health Policy Institute, shares the industry predictions to help you prepare for the year ahead.

Special Guest: Dr. Marko Vujicic

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Show Notes

• In this episode, we're looking at the top trends and challenges for dentists in 2026 with our guest Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the ADA's Health Policy Institute.

• The episode starts by looking back at the predicted dental trends for 2025, which were staffing shortages, insurance challenges, and rising overhead costs.

• When speaking about economic confidence, Vujicic notes that at the end of 2024 dentists expressed a significant rise in economic optimism about the stability of the dental sector. But, by the end of 2025 confidence levels had dipped, and practice confidence dropped as well due to tariffs, economic uncertainty, and larger national concerns.

• The ADA's Health Policy Institute (HPI) conducts quarterly surveys. Dentists are invited to enroll in the panel by emailing [email protected] to help share their experiences and strengthen national data.

• Dentists were asked about their biggest expected challenges for 2026, and they reported that their core issues remain consistent with last year's, but with insurance leading the list, followed by staffing shortages and overhead cost increases. These issues remain steady across urban and rural practices, as well as with different practice modalities.

• About 90% of dental practices report they are still struggling with hiring staff, even though there's a growing pipeline of dental hygienist graduates, and a rebound in patient volume. The conversation explores whether technology could help with this issue, but dentistry remains a hands-on profession with limits on how much can actually be automated.

• Dentists shared with ADA's HPI that this year they intend to hire more staff, reevaluate their insurance networks, and invest in equipment, technology and software.

• Some key findings from HPI's Practice Ownership Trends report shows that today's early-career experience is very different from past generations with a delayed path to practice ownership. Data shows that most dentists will eventually become owners, just later in their careers. The major change: ownership is delayed, not disappearing.

• Another interesting theme that emerged from the data was the generational, cultural, and priority shifts happening in the profession. Also, HPI introduces fresh insights into gender pattens that show that even though women start with a lower rate of practice ownership than men, the ownership gender gap closes by mid- and late- career.

• The conversation shifts to explore the challenges and opportunities from the broader national policy forces shaping dentistry in 2026, and the impact of the economic data influencing decisions in multiple states.

• HPI continues their research and is focusing on tracking emerging dental policy issues, research on the impact of Dental Loss Ratio (DLR) regulations, and forthcoming analysis of oral trends within Medicare Advantage, to list a few.

Resources

• Read ADA's Health Policy Institute's report Practice Ownership Trends in Dentistry: A New Look at Old Data.

• Learn more about HPI's latest studies and publications, including those mentioned in this episode.

• Share your experience with us! Dentists are invited to enroll in the HPI panel by emailing [email protected].

• For more information on the ADA's Health Policy institute, visit their website ADA.org/HPI.

• Connect with Dr. Marko Vujicic.

• Subscribe to the ADA's HPI Newsletter.

A conversation on leadership and what the future of our profession could look like. We're talking with ADA President Dr. Rich Rosato.

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Show Notes

• In this episode, listen to a conversation on leadership and the future of the dental profession with ADA President Dr. Richard Rosato.

• Dr. Richard Rosato, a Concord, New Hampshire, oral surgeon is president of the American Dental Association. In addition to being a past president of the New Hampshire Dental Society, he's served on various ADA committees, councils, and task forces, later representing District One on the ADA Board of Trustees from 2019-2023. The married father of three is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

• Dr. Rosato reflects on transitioning into the role of ADA President, and shares his focus on unity, visibility, and action across the profession.

• What are the key priorities of Dr. Rosato's leadership? He shares with our audience the philosophy and pillars of his ADA presidency, including the long‑term vision for shaping the future of dentistry through Oral Health 2050, a forward‑looking initiative designed to guide the profession. The effort includes the development of five expert panels focused on the topics that matter most to dentists and their patients.

• The importance of dentists' voices at both the state and national levels is reinforced by Dr. Rosato, as he addresses declining membership numbers, while encouraging active engagement as a way for members to shape policy, direction, and the future of the profession.

• The discussion reinforces the importance of dentist participation at both the state and national levels. Dr. Rosato encourages active engagement as a way for members to shape policy, direction, and the future of the profession.

• Dr. Rosato underscores his trust in collective dialogue, diverse viewpoints, and allowing thoughtful processes to unfold by sharing his belief that the "smartest person in the room is always the room" itself.

• How can effective leaders handle friction? Dr. Rosato discusses one of his most significant leadership challenges and highlights the importance of leading with both short‑term realism and long‑term optimism. Rather than viewing limitations as setbacks, he explains how constraints challenge leaders to be more creative, innovative, and intentional in shaping meaningful solutions for members.

Resources

• Read the statement on clinical autonomy referenced in this episode.

• Learn more about advocacy and how you can join the ADA, America's leading oral health advocate, in fighting for what matters to you and your patients.

• Connect with Dr. Rosato on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or email at [email protected].

• Stay connected with the ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest industry news, member perks and conversations shaping dentistry.

More answers to the top questions every dentist should know. We're diving into employment law questions and practical resources to address the legal issues relevant to you, your team, and your practice.

Special Guests:

• Michael Kim, ADA Associate General Counsel

• Christy Picker Rothchild, ADA General Counsel

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Dental misinformation is spreading fast across social media, and it is challenging evidence-based care. On this episode of Dental Sound Bites, we explore how dental professionals can talk to their patients and counter false claims with science, empathy, and clinical authority.

Special Guests:

• Dr. Tricia Quartey-Sagaille

• Dr. Ashley Lerman

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

We're talking about dollars and decisions. From the latest information on student loans, to how to start strong and set yourself up for success as new practice owner.

Special Guests:

• Dr. Michael Jerkins

• Alex Macielak

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Uncomfortable conversations, sticky situations, cringe-worthy moments, and the million-dollar question: what's the right thing to do? We're exploring the ethics of your dental ethical dilemmas.

Special Guests:

• Dr. James Purvis

• Dr. Connie Wang

• Mr. Jaylon Johnson

• Dr. Akeadra Bell

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

We have a very special guest to talk about leadership and why leadership skills are a must for today's evolving dental landscape. We'll also hear from two other dentists about how to develop leadership skills and become strong leaders, and why it's essential for shaping the future of the profession.

Special Guests:

• Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Shapiro, ADA Interim Executive Director

• Dr. Yanina Jouzy, Sunshine Smile Dental & Orthodontics, ADA Leadership Institute Graduate

• Dr. Richard Valachovic, Clinical Professor and Executive Director of the NYU Dentistry Center for Oral Health Policy and Management

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

We're tackling the widespread misunderstanding about insurance, how it works, navigating the challenges, and what's being done to help dentists on this issue.

Special Guest: Dr. Sara Stuefen

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Today on Dental Sound Bites, we're talking about Imposter Syndrome, what it is and professional advice on how to build confidence and thrive in the face of self-doubt.

Special Guests:

• Dr. Jordan Pierre

• Liz Colizza, LPC, Director of Clinical Content at Talkspace

• Razel Zapanta, Class of '26 ATSU School of Dentistry and Oral Health

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Fluoridation is all over the news these days. We're diving into a conversation about recent developments, what it means for public health, and what's being done to support our dental communities.

Special Guest: Dr. Scott Tomar

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast